HELOISE Hotline provides parent-friendly advice

Dear Readers: It's that time of year again for the annual Ask-a-Principal Hotline. This is a great service where anyone (parents, grandparents, caregivers, etc.) can call anonymously and talk with a school psychologist or principal about a problem he or she is having with a child. You can speak to them on any subject having to do with your child. They also have Spanish translators available. So, call the toll-free number (800-944-1601) on the following dates and times:
USunday, April 17, 2005 -- 1-6 p.m.
UMonday, April 18, 2005 -- 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
UTuesday, April 19, 2005 -- 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
You can also request a free copy of a parent-friendly brochure on school-home communications. Take the time to clip this out and post it on your refrigerator so on one of the above dates you can give them a call. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When you have sloppy driving conditions, most drivers clean their windshield every time they get gas. But few think to also use the windshield brush to clean their headlights and taillights. Please remind your readers of this serious safety issue. Ronald Narmi, Alexandria, Va.
Dear Heloise: A great way to be sure that you don't lose the information on your favorite shade of makeup, lipstick, eye shadow, blush, etc., due to wear and tear is to "paint" the label with clear nail polish. Most of them show a name as well as a number for each shade -- many on the bottom of the container. A Granny in Baton Rouge, La.
Clear nail polish is handy to have on hand. Here's another hint for using the polish from F.G. Engelhart, via e-mail:
"Whenever I get a new shirt, trousers, jacket or sweater, the first thing I do after I try it on is take a bottle of clear nail polish and put a dab on the button threads of the item. This glues the threads together and prevents them from loosening up. No more lost buttons! I have been doing this for years now and have never had a button come off. I have mentioned this to numerous others and have never encountered anyone who didn't love the idea." Heloise
Dear Heloise: When you have leftover wrapping paper and don't want to use tape or a rubber band to hold it on the tube, roll the remaining paper off the tube, roll it up and slide it inside the tube. This will keep it pretty, and the ends won't be destroyed. Mary in Washington, D.C.
Dear Heloise: My husband always complains that the light in our bedroom is inadequate, and he has a hard time distinguishing between navy and black socks. So, at the top of each black sock, I sewed a few stitches of red thread. Now he can tell the difference without quite so much complaining! Adrianne Streckfus, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate